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<\/a>El d\u00eda 1 de Noviembre es el D\u00eda de Todos los Santos<\/a>, tradici\u00f3n que estableci\u00f3 la Iglesia Cat\u00f3lica para compensar a todo santo o m\u00e1rtir que no tuviese un d\u00eda propio de celebraci\u00f3n en el santoral. En ese d\u00eda es costumbre visitar los cementerios, adornar con flores las tumbas de nuestros seres queridos fallecidos, y por supuesto tambi\u00e9n hay un componente gastron\u00f3mico propio. Las casta\u00f1as tostadas y los boniatos asados son muy t\u00edpicos en estos d\u00edas, as\u00ed como\u00a0 dulces y pasteles de todo tipo: gachas, huesos de santo, pesti\u00f1os, carne de membrillo, etc. \u00a0Dependiendo de la zona geogr\u00e1fica, se organizan reuniones familiares en casa, o bien se celebra en el campo, tras visitar el camposanto, y si el tiempo acompa\u00f1a. Tambi\u00e9n es muy t\u00edpico encender \u201cmariposas\u201d en aceite, peque\u00f1as velas que se dice ayudan a encontrar el camino a los muertos. Recuerdo que de peque\u00f1a, siempre ped\u00eda a mi madre que me dejase a m\u00ed encender esas luces que serv\u00edan de gu\u00eda a las \u00e1nimas.<\/p>\nEl d\u00eda 2 de Noviembre celebramos el D\u00eda de los Fieles Difuntos, y es un d\u00eda de oraci\u00f3n por aquellos que no contin\u00faan su vida terrena, pero principalmente por las \u00e1nimas del purgatorio. Estas \u00e1nimas benditas, o \u00e1nimas del purgatorio son, seg\u00fan la doctrina cristiana, las almas de aquellos fieles que murieron sin haberse arrepentido completamente, o expiado sus pecados a trav\u00e9s de la penitencia, y permanecen penando y sufriendo en el Purgatorio hasta que son purificados, y pueden entrar en el cielo. Algo as\u00ed como el infierno temporal de los buenos, pues antes o despu\u00e9s terminar\u00e1n abandon\u00e1ndolo. Debido a ese sufrimiento, la iglesia recomienda rezar por su pronta salvaci\u00f3n, recitando jaculatorias<\/p>\n
Lo curioso, al menos para mi, es que no solo se reza por ellas, sino tambi\u00e9n para pedirles favores, algo que en ocasiones puede ser peligroso. Las \u00e1nimas benditas\u00a0 est\u00e1n muy presentes en nuestras tradiciones, leyendas \u00a0y supersticiones. Cuentan las ancianas que aquellos que no rezan por su alma corren el riesgo de recibir su visita nocturna como aviso en forma de golpes o alg\u00fan fen\u00f3meno extra\u00f1o, m\u00e1s si se les ha pedido un favor, y el vivo no cumple con su parte del trato. Normalmente el pago por dichos favores consiste en encender una vela por ellas durante un tiempo determinado, o incluso de por vida. As\u00ed que yo, solo por si acaso, prefiero no pedirles nada no sea que me olvide de mi parte cuando me marche de vacaciones, y tengan que darme un fantasmal toque de atenci\u00f3n…<\/p>\n
The beginning of November always comes to Spain with an homage in memory of our dead, and full of ancient beliefs, traditions and superstitions.<\/p>\n November 1st is the Day of All Saints, a tradition that established the Catholic Church to compensate every saint or martyr who did not have their own day of celebration in the calendar. On this day it is a custom to visit the graveyards, to decorate with flowers the tombs of our loved ones who have died, and obviously there is a gastronomic part too. Roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes are very typical in these days, as well as sweets and pastry of all kind: oatmeal porridge, saint’s bones, pesti\u00f1os (a honey-coated sweet fritter), quince jelly, etc. Depending on the geographical area, familiar meetings are done at houses, or it is celebrated in the open field, after visiting the churchyard, and if the weather helps. It is also very typical to light “butterflies” in oil, small candles that are said to help dead to find their way. I remember that when I was a little girl, I always asked my mum to let me light these candles which where a guide to the souls.<\/p>\n On November 2nd we celebrated the Day of the Dead, and it is a day of prayer for those who don\u2019t continue their earthly life, but mainly for the souls of the purgatory. These blessed souls, or souls of the purgatory are, according to the Christian doctrine, the souls of the faithful who died without having completely regretted, or expiated their sins by penance, and continue suffering in the Purgatory until they are purified, and they can go to heaven. It is as a temporary hell for the goodies, because they will leave it sooner or later. Due to this suffering, the Church recommends us to pray for their prompt salvation, reciting fervent prayers.<\/p>\n The funny thing, at least for me, is that we not only pray for them, but we also pray to ask them for favors, something that in some occasions can be dangerous. The blessed souls are very present in our traditions, legends and superstitions. The old women say that those who don\u2019t pray for their souls run the risk of receiving their night visit as warning in the form of knocks or strange phenomenon, especially if a favour has been asked, and the living one doesn\u2019t carry out his part of the deal. Usually the payment for the above mentioned favors consists of lightning a candle for them during a certain time, or even during a whole life. Just in case, I prefer not asking them for anything so that I forget my part when I go on vacations, and they have to give me a ghostly warning…<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2012\/11\/314315_10150287158683387_73718361_n-225x300.jpg\")
<\/a> all pics by Javier Herce<\/p>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"![\"\"](\"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/spanish\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2012\/11\/296895_10150287159853387_2138533898_n-263x350.jpg\")